Sioux Indian Museum, Rapid City, South Dakota

Chantelle Blue Arm

Quilts

Exhibition August 13 - October 3, 2012

Chantelle Blue Arm, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was raised in both Eagle Butte and Rapid City, South Dakota. Inspired by the creativity and originality of her parents' artistic endeavors, Chantelle sought to learn star quilting as a seventh grader from her home economics teacher in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. The following year, as a student at the Pierre Indian Learning Center, Pierre, South Dakota, Chantelle took an elective sewing class. With encouragement from her mother, she entered and won her first art contest with the quilt she created in this class.

Determined to receive her bachelor's degree in psychology from Yale University, Chantelle focused her attention on her rigorous academic schedule but continued to cultivate her sewing skills in her free time. After college, she began experimenting more with variations in her quilting, such as color, size of diamonds, batting loft, fabric patterns, and star designs in addition to incorporating suggestions from her customers. With artistic and marketing advice from both of her parents, Chantelle has been able to create vibrant pieces of work that are in high demand. In 2011 she entered the Lakota Artist Market, Eagle Butte, South Dakota, and received first place in the star quilt category. She also entered the juried Northern Plains Indian Art Market, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the first time and received first and third place in her category. She always feels a great sense of accomplishment once she has finished a quilt, and quilting has always been her creative outlet.

Now at the age of 26, Chantelle works as a Youth Mentor with the Ateyapi Program in Rapid City, South Dakota. Working predominantly with Native American children, she promotes healthy living and the importance of a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. This summer, she is currently making progress toward earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing and plans to eventually become a physician assistant.

For prices of quilts contact The Journey Museum Store at (605) 394-2201. After the exhibit closes contact Chantelle Blue Arm by email at cbluearm@gmail.com.

The Sioux Indian Museum, managed by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, is located in The Journey Museum, 222 New York Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701. For admission fees and hours of operation call (605) 394-6923.